Turn Coat (The Dresden Files, Book 11) by Jim Butcher
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Book Reviews of Turn Coat (The Dresden Files, Book 11)
Book Review: Who is that knocking at the door?
Summary: 5 Stars
It's summer time in Chicago, the blazing sun outside had driven Harry into the relatively cooler darkness of his basement apartment to cope with his migraine. It wasn't helping much, particularly when someone started knocking on the door. When Harry opened the door and discovered that fellow Warden Donald Morgan - the wizard who had for years kept watch over Harry, as his probation officer he did not know just how much worse his headache could get. Harry had had a troubled adolescence to say the least, and when he had violated the Laws of Magic there were those on the White Council who had called for his execution - a thought shared by Warden Morgan. Now Morgan was on Harry's doorstep, covered in blood and himself running from the White Council. The irony of the situation was not lost on Harry even as he agreed to help Morgan. As Harry went to work proving Morgan's innocence he found that his biggest problems were not the White Council or even the vampires but a Skinwalker, perhaps the most powerful entity that Harry had ever encountered. And lurking in the background the shadowy group that Harry had long suspected existed seemed to be at work as well.
This is the 11th in the DRESDEN FILES series of dark urban fantasy novels featuring Harry Dresden, a Wizard/Private Detective living in Chicago. Harry's turf covered not only the city as we know it but also encompasses the magical world of vampires - all three courts, wizards, werewolves and fairies and also reaches into the Nevernever realm. The overall story arc of this series is quite pronounced. Each novel is a stand alone story but there is so much backstory involved that the reader new to the series will be at a loss to follow much of the story. In addition each novel leaves a few unanswered questions and drops hints of things to come. For maximum enjoyment begin at the beginning (STORM FRONT) and proceed in order through this marvelous series.
Book Review: great Dresden tale
Summary: 5 Stars
Harry Dresden is a wizard working as a private investigator in Chicago. As an innocent youngster he broke one of the most sacred cardinal rules of the White Council of Wizards and was going to be executed but he got taught right from wrong by a kind mentor who convinced the council to give him probation. Warden Chief Morgan has watched Harry for years waiting to pounce when the lad makes that inevitable mistake; they have tangled several times since and their animosity remains stratospheric.
Morgan comes to Harry's home looking ill and injured as the Wardens are after their former leader. The weary Morgan explains he was seen over the corpse of Aleron La Fortier holding the murder weapon. Additionally a bank account in his name was found containing millions; phone records show Morgan talking with someone inside the Vampire Red Court. The wizards knew that one of them was selling information to the enemy and that the wardens were investigating, but now all the evidence hangs Morgan. The unknown adversary sends a Skinwalker, a semi-divine god to start a war between the wizards and the White Court Vampires who feed on human essence. Harry knows Morgan is not the traitor so he sets up a scheme to uncover the betrayer and hopefully prevent hostilities.
This is a great Dresden tale as the hero has come a long way from his days as a rebel with a cause though he still defends the underdog with a passion. The story line is entertaining as Morgan turns to his detestable enemy Harry because of the reasons he loathes Dresden; the wizard's known rebellious nature to defend the downtrodden. Fans will relish this entry as Harry tries to out the real TURN COAT before a war of magic ignites Chicago and beyond while trying to keep an anxious Morgan from charging into the fight like a cow kicking over an oil lamp to Dresden plan and the city.
Harriet Klausner
Book Review: Turn Coat indeed.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have to say this book was aptly named. Not only was there the surface level situations going on in this book (finding the traitor amongst the White Council) but there was so much going on behind the scenes as well. This book has decidedly changed a lot of things for our favorite gumshoe, and it's not going to be an easy ride, but it'll be fun! As a reader I can always count on a solid story that keeps my eyes to the pages and on nothing else until it's finished. Mr. Butcher does not disappoint and I am looking forward to more installments in this series. I don't want to give anything away, other than this isn't a book you want to pass up and there are surprises galore (Listens-to-Wind, anyone? Wow!) and heartaches, passion, anger, rage, courage, humor, and so much more. At half way through the book I was just as stressed as some of the characters! For surely there wasn't more to this story even though it still had a good two hundred pages left. But I was very wrong. The only complaint that I would have- and it's not really a complaint- is that the traitor is obvious. But I tend to think that if a person reads a lot of mysteries (like I do) than you know what signs to look for. Otherwise, the traitor will come as a complete surprise. And, even though I figured it out fairly early, in NO way did it detract from the book or the overall story telling. It was really just the tip of the iceburg for this action packed narrative.
I strongly recommend anyone to add this to their personal collection. It's too good to miss! But then again, if you're on book 11, you're already hooked.
Book Review: Harry's New Maturity--No Spoilers in this Review
Summary: 5 Stars
Harry Dresden is the same wise-cracking wise guy we've come to love, still up to his eyeballs in arcane plots and facing evil-doers of such supernatural power that it's a wonder any landmarks in Chicago are still standing. But there's a touch of maturity about both Harry and this installment of the Dresden Files.
Harry opens the door to find Morgan, the top enforcer for the council of wizards. Morgan used to want to execute Harry so much that he would follow Harry around hoping to catch him in an infraction. Harry should just slam the door and let Morgan bleed, but anyone familiar with Harry's prior career knows that he's a sucker for anyone with a sob story. Morgan has been unjustly accused of murder and it's up to Harry to find the real killer...
In this book, Butcher manages to pile pressure on Harry with one hand and build toward a fabulous climax with the other. The breakneck pacing of the previous books unfolds at a slightly slower speed, but the author generates such suspense that I recommend clearing the deck to read this. This isn't "edge of the seat" material because it will keep you glued to your favorite armchair, turning pages, unable and unwilling to stop for any reason short of the house burning down. Then, I predict you will go outside with the book and attempt to read by the light of the flames.
Butcher throws in some gut-wrenching plot twists. While this book has a satisfying and optimistic ending, I'm likely to be camped outside the local bookstore when the next one is due out...just to see what happens next.
Book Review: Maintaining the standard with Turn Coat
Summary: 5 Stars
The Dresden series has been nothing but pure action-packed joy to read. I never trolled through the sci-fi/fantasy section of the bookstore, but Butcher converted me to the darkside. His Dresden books are phenomenal - they're well-paced, witty, hilarious, philosophical, detailed without being bogged down by the details, and full of action.
And his characters evolve in a linear, rational fashion. While there are twists, one never gets the sense that he patchworked inane bits together to throw the readers off. Butcher is a master story weaver, and all of the books in this series has thus far delivered solidly.
His latest installment in the Dresden series is no exception. Morgan, Harry's dogged and frightening frenemy, is on the run and turns to the one person no one would expect to help him: Harry. Harry needs to unravel the mystery surrounding Morgan's treasonous act, deal with his newly evolved power, tread softly through vampire politics, protect friends and neighbors, and stay alive.
Butcher expertly balances the almost over-the-top plots and sub-stories with his usual wit and panache. Dresden remains Dresden - while things take on a darker cast, our beloved P.I. is recognizable throughout (I intensely dislike series where the hero or heroine changes to the point of losing the qualities that make him/her great, i.e. Anita Blake).
All in all, Turn Coat is another solid keeper in the Dresden line.
Keep them coming, Jim!! I'm on pins & needles for the next book!